She dared to dream of wider sovereignty.

What tongue can tell the changing forms of crime,

Her impious hopes, her cozening treacheries,

Who seeks the throne along the ways of sin?

Then Piety with trembling haste withdrew,160

And Fury through the empty palace halls

With baleful tread resounded, and defiled

The sacred images with Stygian brands.

All holy laws of nature and of heaven

In mad abandon did she set at naught.